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Written by Chris Nevard - 05 Jul 2004
last update by Peter Lovell - 22 May 2012
and by Mark Riley - 11 Feb 2017
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Location notes
In line with the GWML Electrification this bridge has been rebuilt (2012).
Lower Basildon is a small village next to Basildon Park.
What better way to spend an afternoon. Drop the family and kids off to enjoy the delights of the excellent National Trust and gardens whilst you, the railway observer or photographer takes a stroll down to this excellent vantage point.

As with a lot of Great Western vantage points this bridge is being rebuilt and the view will change. Updated images of both the shot and of the bridge itself would be welcomed to update the page.
Railway type and traffic
Passenger trains are mostly HSTs, 180s, 165s and Voyagers.
Of most interest will probably be the various freights winding their way from the London and Southampton areas to western and midland locations. These can be anything from Freightliner, Intermodal, Departmental. MOD, stone, Enterprise and car trains to name a few. However genuine stone trains only run this way if diverted off the Berks and Hants. As a rule of thumb, Tuesdays to Fridays are the busiest. Mid morning and mid to later afternoon being the best times.
Environment
A quiet location on a wide bridge. The location is on a dead end public road to a church and farm. The bridge is surrounded by tall trees providing some shade.
The bridge can get quite busy, usually in school holidays, as the road is used as an exit from the nearby wildlife park.
Road directions
From the A359 between Pangbourne and Streatley, following the Thames Valley:
Once in village of Lower Basildon you will find a small lane heading north-west (Towards the Thames) signposted 'Church' and marked as a no through road. Follow for about 100 yards.

Click here to set up your location for directions to this location

Lower Basildon, Thames Valley map co-ordinates
Parking
Parking is still possible on the bridge but it is narrower, since the 2012 rebuild. The church car-park at the bottom of the lane has also been reduced considerably.
Public transport
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
There are several pubs in village, (as yet untried by the author).
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Lower Basildon, Thames Valley

Googly map
Streetmap links
Lower Basildon, Thames Valley general view map
Lower Basildon, Thames Valley close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Lower Basildon, Thames Valley



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Photographic notes
Good views in both directions. Longer lenses may help to increase variety of shots. Down line on south western side might be difficult to photograph if sun out. Most interesting trains use the two lines Thameside (north east side) though.
Trains from Reading could have the sun behind them during the earlier part of the day. The line runs north west to south east.

This bridge has recently been rebuilt and raised for the forthcoming GWML electrification. A telephoto is preferable to avoid shots being too high. The bridge parapets are now higher and most people will need a step ladder, or similar. The good news is that the brick buttress and trees on the west side looking towards Didcot have been removed and replaced by a crash barrier and fence giving a better view of trains coming from the Didcot direction.


General views - All photographs © Chris Nevard unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking west - Image © Peter Lovell.


Fig 1 - Looking west - <i>Image © Peter Lovell</i>.


Fig 2 - Looking west - Image © Peter Lovell.


Fig 2 - Looking west - <i>Image © Peter Lovell</i>.


Fig 3 - Looking east - Image © Peter Lovell.


Fig 3 - Looking east - <i>Image © Peter Lovell</i>.


Fig 4 - Looking east


Fig 4 - Looking east


Fig 5 - Looking west



Fig 5 - Looking west


Fig 6 - Looking west Image © Olly Swan



Fig 6 - Looking west <i>Image © Olly Swan</i>


Fig 7 - Looking east Image © Olly Swan



Fig 7 - Looking east <i>Image © Olly Swan</i>


Fig 8 - Looking north - Image © Tony Rispoli



Fig 8 - Looking north - <i>Image © Tony Rispoli</i>

Bridge work developments as of 2013.

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